July 12, 1915 – Dec. 5, 2009

Paul Van Valkenburg died Dec. 5, in Rancho Mirage, Calif., at age 94. Born July 12, 1915, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, he was preceded in death by parents, Leo and Rose (Hohn); sister, Gretchen (Ridgley); and brother, Robert.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Ardys (nee Lundmark); daughters, Susan (Phil) Dudek, of Palm Desert, Calif., Carole (Tony) Van Valkenburg-Gernert, of Maple Grove, Minn.; son, Jay (Jean), of Cumberland, Wis.; brother, James (Gail), of Columbia, S.C.; granddaughters, Paige (Chris) Carlson, of Hudson, Wis., Dawn (Nick) Hydukovich, of St. Paul, Minn.; grandsons, Michael, Luke and Erik Van Valkenburg Anton, Josh Van Valkenburg-Gernert; and great-grand-daughter, Remy Carlson.

He lived in Minneapolis for most of his youth and adult life, where he attended Bryn Mawr Elementary, graduated from North High School and the University of Minnesota. He took great pride in his service to our country. A veteran of World War II, he entered the Army Air Corps Cadet program and Air Corps CG4-A Glider training program. Once deployed to the China-Burma-India theater, he piloted numerous missions transporting troops and equipment behind enemy lines. He remained in the Air Force Reserves, retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1974.

In civilian life, he was Director of Purchasing for manufacturing firms in Minneapolis and Glenwood, Minn. Upon retirement, he and his wife moved to Lake Havasu City, spending summers at their lake home near Cumberland, Wis., Paul took great joy in every endeavor whether skiing, bowling, dancing, singing or softball. From 1933-1936 he played Gopher football. He honed his golfing skills, playing well into his 90s, had four holes-in-one and occasionally shot his age. Paul and Ardys loved to dance and belonged to a private dance club in Minneapolis for 25 years. Throughout his life, he enjoyed singing in his church and community choirs and was an avid fan of his Gophers, Vikings and Twins.

Paul belonged to the Masonic Lodge, Zuhrah Shrine, American Legion, Elks Lodge, National Glider Pilots Assn., Military Officers Assn. of America; National Assn. of Van Valkenburg Family and St. Michaels Methodist Church, Lake Havasu City. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. His family invites you to join in a celebration of Paul’s life Tuesday, at 1:30 p.m. with visitation one hour prior at Washburn-McReavy Glen Haven Chapel, 5125 W. Broadway Crystal, MN, 763-533-8643.